The Underground River of Lianzhou, in the county of the same name about 100 kilometres north of the city, is one of Guangdong's more unusual geological attractions. The river flows through an extensive cave system for several kilometres, and visitors board small boats to travel through the darkness, with the ceiling of stalactites lit by guide torches and occasional installed lighting. The cave temperature stays cool year-round, which is welcome in summer.
The site sits well outside the usual karst belt of southern China, making its existence a geological footnote worth noting. The surrounding Lianzhou area also has a modest county town with a Tang dynasty Confucian academy and a reputation for tofu — it hosts an annual tofu festival that draws visitors from across the province. The combination of cave scenery and slow small-town atmosphere makes the trip worthwhile for those with a day to spare.